From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Thanks to all who auditioned for the solos on Tuesday. It is a pleasure (and luxury) to have so many capable soloists. The soloists for Chichester Psalms will be:
S- Michelle McHugh
A-Shellie Grant
T-Jon DeHart
B-Brandon Homayouni
Yours-DrW
To View PDF Files:
Posts Tagged ‘dr. whitmire’
Chichester Psalms Soloists
Sunday, October 2nd, 2011
Rachmaninoff Notes for Tenors
Saturday, October 1st, 2011
From Tenor Section Leader Larry:
I have looked (and listened) at the places where the tenor line breaks into 3 parts. Here is what I found in comparing the printed music to the rehearsal tracks:
No. 2 page 8, bottom system, continuing into the next page: Tenor 2 sings the bottom notes.
No. 4 page 20, bottom system: Tenor 2 sings the middle notes.
No. 6 page 36, bottom system, continuing into the next page: As best I can tell, the Tenor 2 rehearsal track sounds both the middle and lower notes. Is there a preference?
No. 8 page 45, bottom system, 2nd and 3rd measures: Tenor 2 sings e-f-g-d.
No. 11 page 71, top system, and page 73, top and bottom systems: As best I can tell, the Tenor 2 rehearsal track sounds both the middle and lower notes. Is there a preference?
No. 20 page 130, bottom system 1st measure: Tenor 2 sings the top notes (same as Tenor 1) for the word nogaya (triplet).
No. 20 page 130, bottom system 2nd and 3rd measures: Tenor 2 sings the middle notes.
No. 14, Choir I : The Tenor rehearsal track sounds all notes. I assume you will give some direction when you assign singers to Choir I.
Please let me know if you have any corrections or clarifications to what I have listed above.
From Dr. Whitmire: Hi Larry- This is why you are the tenor section leader. Great work! To simplify, whenever the tenor breaks into 3 parts, I’d like 2nd tenors to sing the middle part. Thanks-DrW
Rehearsal Preview
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers
PLEASE NOTE THIS SCHEDULE CHANGE AND MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Our October 23 concert has been moved to
October 30, 3:00 p.m.
Church of the Epiphany
1317 G Street NW
Washington, DC
A flyer (.pdf) is attached. A prettier one will be ready later.
The WMPO has returned to tickets. Each singer will get five to sell at $10 each (Half price).
Welcome to our 5th rehearsal of Fall 2011!
Please sign in.
If you are registered as a Senior, please consider making a donation in lieu of tuition. Donations of any amount are appreciated.
Attendance
Please try not to be absent. If you miss more than two rehearsals during preparation for a concert, you will be asked to audition to demonstrate preparedness. Please notify Section Leaders of absences:
Soprano-Peggy, peggyh [at] ix [dot] netcom [dot] com
Alto-Debbie, peetz [at] rand [dot] org
Tenor-Larry, lgold2 [at] comcast [dot] net
Bass-Ray, rayjoyce2408 [at] verizon [dot] net
Please note Concert Dress Information sheet. [Admin: See September 7th entry -or – Attire guidelines are listed in the Performance Guidance (.pdf) document, always posted to the right.]
Thanks to all the men who attended rehearsal on Saturday. Special Thanks to Chris for directing in my absence. Once again, we had at great turnout. This Saturday at 1:00 pm is Women’s rehearsal.
Auditions for the solos in Chichester Psalms will tonight September 27. Audition passages will be pp 15-16 and p 40. I strongly encourage all Voice Majors to audition.
Music Majors Mid-term is Tuesday, October 18. Exam passages will Rachmaninoff # 5, 6, 13, 18
Sing Well –DrW
Tenor Notes
Monday, September 26th, 2011
From Section Leader Larry: Rachmaninoff #18: The 2nd tenor CD rehearsal track for #18 contains no audible 2nd tenor notes beginning with the first measure of page 118 until the second measure of page 120 (although we hear the quieter notes of all the other parts). I’m guessing that this omission may have been a “production error” and that the 2nd tenor voices should continue to sing in unison with the first tenors. If so, no big problem, because we can listen to the first tenor track to hear the missing notes.
Rachmaninoff #20: On page 130, bottom staff, the 2nd tenor CD rehearsal track sounds the following pitches for the 2nd tenors, starting with the triplet: c, d, e, c, b, b. That would have us sing the same triplet pitches as the first tenors and not sing f in the final two measures. Could you verify if this is what you intended?
From Dr. Whitmire: Sorry about that Larry. Since there is no divisi in those measures, maybe
you can learn your notes from the Tenor 1 track.
Alto Notes
Friday, September 23rd, 2011
From Chorister Jane: Which line do the first altos sing on page 85 (you didn’t record most of this one for the altos, so I can’t tell). There is one voice on the soprano line and there are 3 voices singing on the alto line. Do first altos sing the top notes of the alto line or the middle notes of the alto line?
From Dr. Whitmire: Good question.
On page 85, top staff the alto part will be divided as follows:
top part- Soprano 2
middle part-alto1
low part-alto 2
Notes for Basses
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011
From Section Leader Ray: A couple of small things I’ve meaning to bring up – but have slipped my mind at rehearsal.
Rachmaninov:
1) Chorus 11: P.72, Mm. 11-14 are missing from the bass 1 rehearsal disc.
2) Chorus 13, P.85 Assuming we are NOT singing the alternative bass line (Ossia), basses split into THREE parts in Mm. 36 & 37.
Response from Dr. Whitmire:
We will not sing the first 4 measures of page 72.
I will assign just 4 basses to the Ossai bass line on p. 85.
Thanks for these good points.
Rehearsal Preview
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Welcome to our 4th rehearsal of Fall 2011!
Please sign in.
Please proof the Roster one more time
If you are registered as a Senior, please consider making a donation in lieu of tuition. Donations of any amount are appreciated.
Attendance
Please try not to be absent. If you miss more than two rehearsals during preparation for a concert, you will be asked to audition to demonstrate preparedness. Please notify Section Leaders of absences:
Soprano-Peggy, peggyh [at] ix [dot] netcom [dot] com
Alto-Debbie, peetz [at] rand [dot] org
Tenor-Larry, lgold2 [at] comcast [dot] net
Bass-Ray,, rayjoyce2408 [at] verizon [dot] net
Please note Concert Dress Information sheet. [Admin: See September 7th entry -or – Attire guidelines are listed in the Performance Guidance (.pdf) document, always posted to the right.]
Thanks to all the women who attended rehearsal on Saturday. We had at great turnout. This Saturday at 1:00 pm is Men’s rehearsal.
Auditions for the solos in Chichester Psalms will be next Tuesday, September 27. Audition passages will be pp 15-16 and p40. I strongly encourage all Voice Majors to audition.
Music Majors Mid-term is Tuesday, October 18. Exam passages will Rachmaninoff # 5, 6, 13, 18
Sing Well -DrW
Chorus Benefit Oct 11
Saturday, September 17th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Friends-
Please plan to attend this event (.pdf). Its a chance to hear two great pianists play wonderful music, including a new piece by Jonathan Kolm. Donations support our chorus. Please spread the word and bring your friends.
Yours-DrW
Music Majors
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: This message (.pdf) is for music majors.
Rehearsal
Monday, September 12th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- At tomorrow’s rehearsal we will rehearse all of Bernstein. The Rachmaninoff choruses will be selected from Group II.
Yours-DrW
Group I 1 2 3 4
Group II 6 8 11 12
Group III 14 16 17 19 20
Sublime Music
Wednesday, August 31st, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- What an unbelievably great start to the season. You made sublime music on the first night. I was stunned! I have set a challenging goal for us, but your focus and skill last night made me know we can get there. Our rehearsal brought to mind a poem by John O’Donohue. I can’t wait to see you next Tuesday. Yours-DrW
May your new work excite your heart,
Kindle in your mind a creativity
To journey beyond the old limits
Of all that has become wearisome.
May this work challenge you toward
New frontiers that will emerge
As you begin to approach them,
Calling forth from you the full force
And depth of your undiscovered gifts.
May the work fit the rhythms of your soul,
Enabling you to draw from the invisible
New ideas and a vision that will inspire.
Remember to be kind
To those who work with you,
Endeavor to remain aware
Of the quiet world
That lives behind each face.
Be fair in your expectations,
Compassionate in your criticism.
May you have the grace of encouragement
To awaken the gift in the other’s heart,
Building in them the confidence
To follow the call of the gift.
May you come to know that work
Which emerges from the mind of love
Will have beauty and form.
May this new work be worthy
Of the energy of your heart
And the light of your thought.
May your work assume
A proper space in your life;
Instead of owning or using you,
May it challenge and refine you,
Bringing you every day further
Into the wonder of your heart.
Rehearsal Handouts
Wednesday, August 31st, 2011
Here are the handouts from the August 30, 2011 rehearsal (.pdf files):
Schedule, 2 pages
Exercises: Chords, Count Singing, Intervals, Note Names, Key Signatures OR All 4 pages
Chichester Psalms: I – Rhythm (changing meters), II – Rhythm, III – Pitch (changing key center), III – Rhythm and Harmony OR All 4 pages
Rachmaninoff: #3 Rhythm (simple meter) and Harmony (2 pages), #4 Rhythm, Compound Meter, #12 Pitch OR All 4 pages
Reminder: Frequently Used Documents are always linked on the right side of the page:
Info for New Members (Great refresher for current members, too)
Dr. W’s Choral Singing Tips
Performance Guidance (includes concert dress guidelines)
Join the Chorus
Chichester Psalms
Sunday, August 28th, 2011
Dear Singers- Here is a link to a Youtube performance of Chichester Psalms. Enjoy. -DrW
Leonard Bernstein: Chichester Psalms
Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir
George Pehlivanian, conductor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEnYf_aQUnc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QowBKFzSlM
Campus Closed
Friday, August 26th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- As you may know, the college has closed for the weekend, so we will not be able to have our make-up rehearsal. I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday. Yours-DrW
—–
From: Flagler, William Jr.
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2011 3:23 PM
To: All Faculty and Staff; All Adjunct Faculty
Subject: College Closed Saturday, August 27th & 28th
Attention Faculty & Staff:
The College will be closed Saturday, August 27th and Sunday, August 28th due to the impending Hurricane. All Classes and College activities are cancelled.
We have taken this action to ensure the safety of our faculty ,staff, students, and visitors. We would like to also remind you to take this time and opportunity to prepare you and your families.
More information can be found here – http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html
Thanks, William Flagler, Director, Emergency Management and Planning
—–
From: Emergency Alert #1293 <emergency1293@alert.nvcc.edu>
Subject: Important message from NOVA Alert-Hurricane Irene Closing
Date: August 26, 2011 3:25:42 PM EDT
To: NOVA Alert Users <rsan@alert.nvcc.edu>
All NOVA classes & college activities are cancelled Sat/Sun 27th/28th because of Hurricane Irene.
Sent by William Flagler to All users (E-mail accounts, Pagers, Cell phones) through NOVA Alert
… powered by the Roam Secure Alert Network–
You received this message because you registered on NOVA Alert. To change your alerting preferences go to http://alert.nvcc.edu/mygroups.php
Tell a friend/co-worker about NOVA Alert! Forward this message to them and have them register for this free service at http://alert.nvcc.edu
Saturday
Wednesday, August 24th, 2011
Dear Singers-
I have not yet recovered from my disappointment at the cancellation of our first rehearsal last night. Please plan to attend our make-up rehearsal this Saturday, August 27, 1-3 pm. We have a great deal of work to do before our October 9 Dress Rehearsal with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic. Please make every effort to attend.
Yours-DrW
Campus Closed
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- In their infinite wisdom, the college has closed for the remainder of the day and evening. Anyone know this tune, “who can explain it, who can tell you why?” So, practice with you Cds if you have them. See you next week. Yours-DrW
Vocal Seminar
Thursday, August 18th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
-Sadly, Vocal Seminar is being cancelled (the guitar players win). But there is still time to join Basic Musicianship or Beginning Class Voice.
-Also, tt would be a big favor if several of you could move your chorus registration to MUS 23702a. This is the section that allows us to have Saturday rehearsals. Its just a book-keeping matter, but would be helpful if its not to much trouble.
-Since there will be no Vocal Seminar, our Saturday Rehearsals will move back to the old time slot:
1:00-2:15 pm.
See you soon!-DrW
Office Hours
Monday, August 15th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- I plan to be in my office tomorrow 2-6 pm. Please drop by and pick you rehearsal CD is you get a change. Yours-DrW
Chichester Psalms I.mp3
Thursday, August 4th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- Listen to this! Super exciting! See you soon.
Chichester Psalms I.mp3, .mp3 file. For most systems, click to play file, right-click to download
Fall Update
Thursday, July 28th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-Just a note to let you know that our music has arrived in the campus bookstore. I have also updated our Schedule as you see below (4-pg .pdf). I will be in my office again on Tuesday, August 16. if you want to drop by to pick up a rehearsal CD. Let me know. In the meanwhile, use www.cyberbass.com to work on Chichester Psalms. See you on August 23. Enjoy the rest of the summer.
Vocal Seminar
Thursday, July 21st, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers- We had an excellent Vocal Seminar this summer, albeit short-only 6 weeks. Several of the students asked if we could continue Vocal Seminar this Fall. I hadn’t intended to teach it but due to an administrative error it is listed in the Fall Schedule. As it turns out, I can can get them to let me teach it if there is sufficient enrollment (more than guitar or piano classes). As you know, it is one of my favorite classes, so I would love it if we had the class. It will be 2 credits and will meet Saturdays 2-4 pm. If you would like to improve your singing and performing skills this is a great class: Mus 198 001a Seminar and Project. Please spread the word to anyone you think might be interested.
From Dr. Whitmire
Sunday, July 17th, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
-I hope you are enjoying a great summer.
-I have finished rehearsal CDs for Fall. If a sufficient number of you would like to pick one up,
I will be on campus this Thursday, July 21, 2-8 pm. Please let me know. Bernstein is $5. Rachmaninoff (2 CDs) is $10. Cash or check made to NVCC Foundation.
-The music will be in the bookstore in two weeks. If you are ready to get started now, you can always order from www.sheetmusicplus.com.
Chichester Psalms
By Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990). Vocal Score. BH Large Choral. Book only. 48 pages. Boosey & Hawkes #M051321407. Published by Boosey & Hawkes (HL.48002894)
The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
By Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943). For SATB Choir (Mixed Voices). General. Choral. 152 pages. Published by Galaxy Music Corporation (EC.1.3100)
[Admin note: SheetMusicPlus is currently offering a 20% discount on all choral titles, through July 26]
-I look forward to seeing you at our first rehearsal on August 23.
Yours-DrW
From Dr. Whitmire
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
I hope this message finds you enjoying a wonderful summer.
There have been some changes in our schedule (.pdf) for the upcoming season that you will want to know about.
-As you will see, I have postponed Songs of Sunset to the Spring. That’s because our soloists, Grace and Rex Gori, are expecting a baby girl! (Their due date is October 24.)
-We will sing Chichester Psalms (one of my all-time favorite pieces) in the Fall.
-I am also very excited about the Rachmaninoff Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. It is sublime music that will be especially beautiful when we sing it at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church on December 2.
This is music that any seasoned chorister will want to sing. It is fabulous and challenging in both music and language (Hebrew and Old church Slavonic). If you know skilled singers (especially low basses) please have them join us. So spread the word—email, Facebook, Twitter, Morse code, smoke signals.
I have finished the Bernstein CDs and am hard at work on the Rachmaninoff. The CDs will include both notes and pronunciation. The Bookstore says music will be in mid-July.
I look forward to seeing everyone in the Fall. If for any reason you are unable to sing with us this Fall, please let me know. I don’t want anyone to slip away silently.
In the meanwhile, have a great summer!
Yours-DrW
[Admin: Two new music files can be found on the Music Files page.]
Beethoven Found presents: A Tribute to the Wounded Warriors
Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
(June 14, 2011) Update: From Fred: Here is your chance to have fun singing five well known songs in the Kennedy Center as part of a special, two hour long Tribute to the Wounded Warriors. If you have never sung in the Kennedy Center, consider this to be a golden opportunity to be on stage and back stage in this huge venue. Don’t expect another like it.
37 members of NOVA Chorus have already signed up to join a large number of other choristers to sing for 15 minutes in this large concert. It is on Monday, June 27 at 8 PM. The only REQUIRED rehearsal is 3 – 5 PM at Kennedy Center (the morning rehearsal was canceled). There is an additional, optional, rehearsal on Monday, June 20, 7:30 PM, at the McLean Bible Church, which has taken on the daunting task of assembling, teaching and directing all of the singers.
I have attached all of the music we will sing in PDF format and the program for the entire concert. All of us are using the sheet music we printed from our own computers. (welcome to the new world)
Standard concert dress (all black for women, Black Tux for men) and your own black music folder are required.
Here is the list of our singers so far [see e-mail]. If you signed up earlier, check to be sure your name is on this list.
If you plan to sing in this concert and have not yet registered with me, send an Email to me ASAP at f.wulff [at] yahoo [dot] com. Marci Ward, who is the top level organizer of singers and I will only send out additional details to singers on my list (which she will add to her list).
(June 13, 2011) Update. From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers-
-Reminder: If you want to sing at the Kennedy Center on Monday, June 27, please let me know by tomorrow. If you have never sung at the Kennedy Center, you should try to do this. It is a thrill.
-Fred has sent PDF copies of most of the music. I will have copies that you may pick up at NVCC tomorrow between 6 and 10 pm outside the Choir Room.
-There is an optional rehearsal on Monday, June 20, at 7:30 pm at McLean Bible Church. There is a required dress rehearsal at the Kennedy Center, at 3:00 pm on June 27. I suggest you come to the dress rehearsal in concert attire.
-Fred will be in charge of the NOVA Community Chorus for this event. My mother arrives from Texas on the 27th, so I cannot attend.
-If you have any questions let me or Fred know.
Yours-DrW
PS- There have been some exciting changes in our Fall 2011-Spring 2012 schedule. I will give you the details soon.
(June 9, 2011) Update. From Fred: Mark asked me to keep records for him until he returns to the Alexandria Campus on Tuesday. I have attached “God Bless America” in PDF format.
Here is the list of names and addresses that I have so far. [See email] Almost all of these names were taken from Email replies to NOVAChorus-owner. If you responded directly to Mark I did not get a copy. If you intend to sing in this event and you are not on this list, reply to NOVAChorus-owner or to f.wulff [at] yahoo [dot] com so that I can add you to the list.
Conversely, if you are on the list and don’t plan to sing, let me know that, too.
Question marks indicate conditions and I made note of them.
I will begin using a special address list of just the participants in the next day or two.
(June 9, 2011) Update. From Fred: I have attached the first shipment of music that we will sing from Ul James. It is in PDF format.
Next is a copy of the entire program (.pdf) that will be presented on the 27th. This was taken from the Kennedy Center web site.
VARIOUS – Patriotic American Songs (our first shipment)
CONTI – Rocky- Lyrics by Carol Connor
CLEMENT – The Warrior’s Hymn
GERSHWIN – Summertime
Mark will pass more information to us as he receives it.
(June 7, 2011) From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers – You may have heard about this event on NPR. Our friend Ul James is conducting Beethoven Found Presents: A Tribute to the Wounded Warriors. He would like us participate. The concert will take place on Monday, June 27th at 8:00 PM at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, DC. There are two rehearsals for the concert on the same day June 27: 10-12:30 am and 3-5 pm.
It should be a wonderful event. The concertmaster and assistant concertmaster of Baltimore Symphony, the principal trumpet, trombone and horn of the National Symphony and other musicians from Philadelphia Orchestra and NY Phil are participating. There are four patriotic pieces with chorus.
If you would like to participate, please let me know by Tuesday, June 14.
Easy reference links:
Copy of the entire program (.pdf)
Program on Kennedy Center web site
All five pieces of music, in order (.pdf)
Fall Repertoire
Sunday, May 8th, 2011
From Fred: Here is the last part of Mark’s reminder on Tuesday, 4/19/11.
(4/19/2011) From Dr. Whitmire: This has been the most rewarding year ever for our chorus!
We have moved steadily upward into the ranks of the finer choruses in Metropolitan Washington. Next year we will continue to grow, improve and excel. But I need everyone one of you back. I have planned excellent repertoire for the Fall:
Sundays, October 16 and 23: Concert with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic. Frederick Delius: Songs of Sunset, featuring Grace Gori (Mezzo-soprano) and Aurelius Gori (baritone).
Friday, November 11: Civil War Commemoration Concert with the Alexandria Band, Schlesinger
Thursday, December 1: Spring Concert. Rachmanov, Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Schlesinger
[Admin] From April 26: Schedule, Fall 2011, Spring 2012 (.pdf)